[Sidenote:  Induces Congress to abandon it.]

Congress acceded to his request of a personal interview; and, on his arrival in Philadelphia, a committee was appointed to confer with him, as well on this particular subject as on the general state of the army and of the country.

The result of these conferences was, that the expedition against Canada was entirely, though reluctantly,[15] given up, and every arrangement recommended by the Commander-in-chief, received the attention to which his judgment and experience gave all his opinions the fairest claim.

[Footnote 15:  See note No.  II. at the end of the volume.]

CHAPTER IV.

Divisions in Congress....  Letters of General Washington on the state of public affairs....  Invasion of Georgia....  General Howe defeated by Colonel Campbell....  Savannah taken....  Sunbury surrenders....  Georgia reduced....  General Lincoln takes command of the Southern army....  Major Gardiner defeated by General Moultrie....  Insurrection of the Tories in South Carolina....  They are defeated by Colonel Pickens....  Ash surprised and defeated....  Moultrie retreats....  Prevost marches to Charleston....  Lincoln attacks the British at Stono Ferry unsuccessfully....  Invasion of Virginia.

[Sidenote:  1779]

After the relinquishment of that extensive plan of conquest which had been meditated against Canada, no other object seemed to call forth the energies of the nation, and a general languor appeared to diffuse itself through all the civil departments.  The alliance with France was believed to secure independence; and a confidence that Britain could no longer prosecute the war with any hope of success—­a confidence encouraged by communications from Europe—­prevented those exertions which were practicable, but which it was painful to make.  This temper was seen and deplored by the Commander-in-chief, who incessantly combated the opinion that Britain was about to relinquish the contest, and insisted that great and vigorous exertions on the part of the United States were still necessary to bring the war to a successful termination.

It being no longer practicable to engage soldiers by voluntary enlistment, and government not daring to force men into the service for three years, or during the war, the vacant ranks were scantily supplied with drafts for nine, twelve, and eighteen months.  A great proportion of the troops were discharged in the course of each year; and, except that the old officers remained, almost a new army was to be formed for every campaign.

Although the Commander-in-chief pressed congress and the state governments continually and urgently, to take timely measures for supplying the places of those who were leaving the service, the means adopted were so slow and ineffectual in their operation, that the season for action never found the preparations completed; and the necessity of struggling against superior numbers was perpetual.